Wicked

"Miss," called Ray as he stepped into the room. Maya had returned to her seat, watching Mike converse with her stepmother. "Are you okay?" Ray added, helping Maya sit up straighter.

"It's nothing, I'm just watching them. It turns out they are connected and very evil," replied Maya.

"Don't be afraid. I promised Mr. Winata that I would protect you from..." Ray's concern made Maya chuckle.

"Why are you laughing?"

"You must be like Inaya, thinking I'm small and useless."

Ray quickly shook his head. "I don't think that, Miss!"

"Then why do you look worried?"

"You suddenly seem very brave."

"Didn't you teach me to be like this?"

"Hah!" Ray looked surprised at his young mistress's words. "I taught you to be brave?"

"Hey!" shouted Inaya, annoyed that Ray's tall frame blocked her view of Maya. "Why are you standing there?"

"I am..."

"Don't argue with her, Ray. Let's just leave."

"Are you sure, Miss?"

Maya nodded, then walked away with a smug look on her face, leaving her luxurious house.

"Hey! I'm not done with you!" Inaya shouted, whispering to Mike, who was still standing nearby.

"Are you sure we're leaving?" Ray asked again.

"Yes, let's go. Why stay in a house that isn't welcoming to its own residents."

"Aren't you forgetting your sister?!" Inaya shouted, then paused, waiting for her stepdaughter's reaction.

Maya stopped, hesitated for a moment, then turned around.

"Are you having second thoughts?" Inaya asked with a thin smile, thinking she had won the argument.

"You want me to give in for my twin sister's sake?" Maya asked softly.

"Yes, if you want, I will make peace with you and give you all that wealth," Inaya mocked, even though Maya's father's company was clearly bankrupt. "And with your sister's marriage, we will consider Winata's debt paid and everything will return to normal!"

"Ugh!" Maya hissed, understanding more about the woman who married her father a few years ago. "All she thinks about is money?"

"Mmm! I'm waiting for your answer!"

"I'll just leave," Maya resumed her steps, and Inaya's eyes glared sharply at the brave woman.

"Are you sure you want to leave, Miss?" Ray asked, worried about Maya leaving her own house in her current state.

"What's with you? I've made up my mind, yet you ask that!"

"What about your studies?"

"I will still attend school, don't worry!"

Ray nodded slowly, then allowed the sweet girl to walk towards his car, waiting at the car door until her driver opened it.

"Where are we going now?" Ray asked as he sat in the driver's seat.

"Take me to my father. I know you know where he is right now!"

"Alright!" Ray replied with a thin smile on his face.

Ray then started the car engine and slowly drove through the quiet streets of Malang City that afternoon.

Few cars were passing by until they finally arrived in front of a luxurious house on Dieng Street.

Rows of luxurious houses lined up there, and the house Ray aimed for was very grand.

"Is father inside?" Maya asked with a trembling voice.

"Yes, we are taking care of your father inside. Your mother is also inside!"

"Oh my God! Why didn't you tell me my mother was coming too?"

"It's a secret, Miss. We have to be very careful with Inaya. She has many spies and people who will watch us wherever we go."

"Spies!" Maya's eyes widened, recalling the events that happened to her today with Yuki.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I forgot that I was also being watched by a man I didn't know. I'm sure that man is one of Inaya's subordinates!"

"Yes, he must be one of Inaya's subordinates. We will discuss this inside with your father and mother. Then we'll decide what to do to protect you from all of them."

Maya agreed with Ray's words, then got out of the car first and walked into the two-story luxurious house.

When she pushed the door, no one seemed to welcome her. She then waited for Ray to follow before stepping further inside.

"Why don't you go in?" Ray asked, approaching Maya.

"This house feels familiar to me!"

"That's right! This is your childhood home. You lived here when you were 1 year old. That's why you don't remember."

"Oh my God! My mother!" Maya exclaimed, speeding up her steps until she stopped at the door on the first floor, about fifteen meters from the entrance. "This is my childhood room!"

"Maya," called a middle-aged woman who was none other than Maya's biological mother.

"Mother!" Maya's tears burst out, and Mother hugged her tightly.

Mother knew Maya's heart was shattered after the recent unfortunate events and desperately needed moral support from the woman she loved so much.

Maya sobbed uncontrollably in the embrace of the woman who gave birth to her until her eyes hurt.

"Don't cry, dear! I'm here for you. You have to be strong because we will get through all of this together," Mother said, her hand still around Maya's waist, which had gone weak from the encounter.

"Yes, Mother! I will take revenge on all those who hurt us."

"You must be strong. That's the first thing you need to do now."

"Oh!" Maya paused, wiped her tears, then stood up again. "Where is my father? Is he alright?"

Mother shook her head. "No! Your father is not alright. He had a strange heart attack that left him paralyzed!"

"Oh my God!"

"This must be Inaya's doing, I'm sure of it. She wants us all to suffer!"

"Where is my father now?"

Mother then took her daughter's hand, still agitated by the sudden news. "Calm down. Even though your father is paralyzed, believe me, he will get better soon!"

Seeing her mother's wide, reassuring smile, Maya immediately knew that everything would soon get better now that they were reunited.

"Yes, I will try to stay calm. But please let me see him now."

"Alright!"

Mother then walked ahead of Maya, taking her hand as she desperately wanted to meet her father.

"He's inside," Mother pushed open the white-painted door in front of her, and Maya's eyes immediately focused on a man lying weakly on the bed with an IV bottle hanging beside him.

Winata's face was so pale, and his eyes closed as Maya slowly entered.

"Oh my God! What happened to my father, Mother?"

"You must remember today so that one day we can all take revenge on Mike, Inaya, and her mother for what they've done to us, Maya!" Mother said with emphasis.

"Definitely!" Maya replied firmly.